Microsoft has launched a platform that is aimed at helping people to manage their health information and details in a more organized way. Known as HealthVault, this collection of software and services was launched by the software giant together with several medical providers, health management device manufacturers and patient advocacy organizations.
Also launched is the Microsoft HealthVault Search application which provides users with a powerful, new vertical health search tool designed to work with the HealthVault platform.
Peter Neupert, corporate vice president of the Health Solutions Group at Microsoft,explains, “People are concerned to find themselves at the center of the healthcare ecosystem today because they must navigate a complex web of disconnected interactions between providers, hospitals, insurance companies and even government agencies.”
Neupert also commented on the launch of HealthVault saying, “Our focus is simple: to empower people to lead healthy lives. The launch of HealthVault makes it possible for people to collect their private health information on their terms and for companies across the health industry to deliver compatible tools and services built on the HealthVault platform.”
The advantage of using Microsoft’s Healthvault platform is that it offers users privacy enhancement features along with the control they expect and require.
Some of the notable organizations that are affiliated with Microsoft’s HealthVault platform are:
Developers who are interested in building their own HealthVault-based solutions can download the HealthVault software development kit form http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/healthvault/default.aspx, while the general public can download the HealthVault platform from www.healthvault.com for no cost at all.